Wyclef Jean IRS Liens

Wyclef Jean IRS Liens

AUGUST 4--Wyclef Jean, who appears ready to announce his candidacy for Haiti’s presidency, owes the Internal Revenue Service more than $2.1 million, according to federal tax liens filed against the musician, The Smoking Gun has learned.

In May, the IRS filed a $724,332 tax lien against Jean. Last July, the agency filed a $599,167 lien against the performer. And a $792,269 lien was lodged against Jean in July 2007. The liens cover taxes due on Jean’s individual 1040 returns for 2006, 2007 and 2008. Copies of the liens, which were filed at the Bergen County clerk’s office in New Jersey, can be viewed at left.

In 1998, Jean--whose given name is Nel Wyclef Jean--purchased a $1.85 million home at 8 Cameron Road in Saddle River, where he lives with his wife Claudinette and their family. The three IRS liens were filed against Nel W. Jean at the Cameron Road address.

Other records show that Jean, 37, has previously been the subject of two smaller tax liens filed against him by the State of New Jersey and the New York State Tax Commission, both of which were eventually satisfied.

Following the Haitian earthquake, TSG reported on Jean’s questionable handling of the finances of his charitable foundation. Along with filing tax returns years late, Jean used his foundation to pay himself and a business partner more than $410,000 for rent, production services, and Jean's appearance at a benefit concert.

Though the Wyclef Jean Foundation had operated at a deficit and experienced cash flow problems, Jean actually paid himself and a partner (his cousin Jerry Duplessis) $65,000 in upfront rent payments for space at a Manhattan recording studio the duo owns. The prepaid 25 months worth of rent covered the foundation’s use of a café table in the studio's kitchen. Jean’s foundation has received millions in donations since the Haiti tragedy, but it is unknown how the group has spent those funds.

Along with attempting to rebuild a devastated country, the next Haitian president will be in charge of handling foreign aid payments as well as the nation’s own limited financial resources. (3 pages)

Comments (19)

Wouldn't it be a good idea if people who work at TSG disclosed their tax records on their website before throwing mud at Wyclef. It would only be fair. Why would Wyclef who can make millions a year by singing/ producing, establish Yele so he can steal $400,000, it just doesn't make sense. If you want to see people who make millions stealing charity money from Haitians and who have done so for years, TSG should investigate the NGO's in Haiti controlled by white folks. Those sisters who brought those kids in from Haiti on that plane are rich now, but no one is talking about that. No one is investigating them, why? because they're white. And Sean Penn, he is extremely jealous of Wyclef Jean. He claims he loves Haitians, and then trashes one of the most beloved sons of Haiti without having all the facts. Who's the hypocrite. There's a lot of hate toward Wyclef, because he's a successful black man who has confidence. Most Haitians who do not want to see Wyclef become President are members of the establishment in Haiti who stand to lose a lot of illegal privileges, like not paying taxes on anything, not ever!, no exaggeration!. They never have. Imagine if rich people in the US never paid taxes. They also have a monopoly on business in the country by keeping the Diaspora and foreign businesses at bay, therefore, no competition. When they travel abroad, they "pass" as non-Haitians because most people don't know there are white Haitians. So they don't have to live with the "shame/stigma" of being Haitian. Haitians will not vote for them so they bribe new presidents with money & women from their class. They will definitely try to kill Wyclef and/or they might try to kill Penn and try to blame Wyclef for it. Penn has no idea how Haiti really is when it comes to politics. That's some of the changes Wyclef's tryin to make.

This is going to be flagged as inappropriate so if you are a black man, just move on to the next comment.
Hmm, what do we have here? A black Hip Hop artist who steals from his own charity fund to fund his adventure to Haiti. On top of he owing back taxes over the last 3 years. He's one rich mofo and can't afford to pay his taxes...WTF...
I find a majority of comments that I assume are from poor black folks who couldn't rap or do Hip Hop or get education(the education was out there for you) or get a good job, because they were too lazy to do so and want an Oreo president to just give them money so they can still smoke crack and play B-ball without a job.
Bill Cosby has been out on the road to educate parents on how to raise their kids responsibly and make them good citizens. It doesn't seem to be working! Dropping out of school to sell drugs,stealing and then when getting busted and going to jail or prison doesn't seem have much of a future. Or maybe you like you 3 hots and a cot? So, your mama is on welfare so what, better yourself and don't the babydaddy who can't work and the HO you got pregnant didn't want to work either. I think the welfare system sucks. One or both should be working for the state to compensate for the welfare money they are getting!
When the illegal mexicans have more jobs than a black man, that pisses me off, because you were born here and the weren't.
I have had black men as friends and mentors. I am not racist but have met a few racist black men who think because their greatgreatgreat grandparents were slaves, when they were sold out by their own countrymen and because of that they think that they need to be treated differently because of that. Bullshiat! We are all given opportunities and if you do not act on them, well, then you are a lazy mofo.

I am Haitian-American, I came to the US at a very young age, and I took advantage of every good opportunity the US had to offer. I went to college, graduated top of my class, pay my college loans, I raised 1 sister and have held a very decent leadership position in healthcare finance have never collected welfare in my life and have no intentions of doing so. I do not believe that the US government owes me anything and besides I pay my taxes every year, therefore I expect the same from everyone who lives in this country. No one is above the law. I am one of those who think that Wyclef is not fit to be anything except a gangster. He does not represent those Haitians who came to the US and made something of themselves. Black people in America really need to get rid of that mentality that the government is after another black man crap! They use race to get away with murder, if you are a black person in America and you obey the law, pay your taxes, do not smoke dope and get an education, you can be whatever you want to me. I know this comment will raise a lot of red flags from most black folks who think the government owes them something because their great grandparents were slaves. Don’t you people feel that excuse is kind of outdated? Get over it already!! Stop making excuses, get off your lazy butts, put the remote control down, and stop wasting your entire day sleeping and your entire night blaming the white men for your misfortune, make things happen for yourself.
The college drop-out, dope smoking, bad singer for president of Haiti – Lord help this country!! Wyclef Jean does not have the education nor the political experience to run for office in Haiti, being a bad singer and throwing food to children in Haiti does not qualify him to run the country. Although the idiots in California voted for Arnold the terminator, it does not simply mean that the citizens of Haiti are ready for an idiotic president. Jean is a terrible singer and his goal is to support his marijuana habit. I would like to know what he has done in his career that shows he is fit to run my country. What college/ university did he attend? What is his political experience?
Regan was an actor – however a very good one. He was also educated. I am not sure what language Wyclef speaks, he certainly does not speak English after leaving in the US for many years. Does he even speak Creole? If anyone really thinks that Wycef is qualified to be anything but a bad singer, really needs to have his head examine. The man can hardly manage his finances, people he has been in business with have complained about his lack of respect when it comes to following rules and regulations.
Being a president of a country is not an on the job training, I know he received his singing training from the slums of Brooklyn, that does not qualify him to be president. Perhaps he realized he could steal way more as President of a country than as President of a charity. Maybe Angie could run as his vice presidential candidate. That would be quite the ticket! I guess anything to get him to stop singing for a few years is good enough.
How much more do the people of Haiti need to endure? First they had a horrible earthquake
Second, Obama picked Bush "the village idiot" to be in charge of rebuilding the country – Obama wanted to get Bush out of US politics, therefore he sent him to Haiti to make a mess, just as he has made a mess of the US economy. Third – Now the other uneducated idiot, WJ wants to run for president. When is it enough? At least Bush's father paid a few people to help Bush graduate from college. WJ parent's simply allowed him drop-out.

Hi Steve,
I agree with you!
I am Haitian-American, I came to the US at a very young age, and I took advantage of every good opportunity the US had to offer. I went to college, graduated top of my class, pay my college loans, I raised 1 sister and have held a very decent leadership position in healthcare finance have never collected welfare in my life and have no intentions of doing so. I do not believe that the US government owes me anything and besides I pay my taxes every year, therefore I expect the same from everyone who lives in this country. No one is above the law. I am one of those who think that Wyclef is not fit to be anything except a gangster. He does not represent those Haitians who came to the US and made something of themselves. Black people in America really need to get rid of that mentality that the government is after another black man crap! They use race to get away with murder, if you are a black person in America and you obey the law, pay your taxes, do not smoke dope and get an education, you can be whatever you want to me. I know this comment will raise a lot of red flags from most black folks who think the government owes them something because their great grandparents were slaves. Don’t you people feel that excuse is kind of outdated? Get over it already!! Stop making excuses, get off your lazy butts, put the remote control down, and stop wasting your entire day sleeping and your entire night blaming the white men for your misfortune, make things happen for yourself.
The college drop-out, dope smoking, bad singer for president of Haiti – Lord help this country!! Wyclef Jean does not have the education nor the political experience to run for office in Haiti, being a bad singer and throwing food to children in Haiti does not qualify him to run the country. Although the idiots in California voted for Arnold the terminator, it does not simply mean that the citizens of Haiti are ready for an idiotic president. Jean is a terrible singer and his goal is to support his marijuana habit. I would like to know what he has done in his career that shows he is fit to run my country. What college/ university did he attend? What is his political experience?
Regan was an actor – however a very good one. He was also educated. I am not sure what language Wyclef speaks, he certainly does not speak English after leaving in the US for many years. Does he even speak Creole? If anyone really thinks that Wycef is qualified to be anything but a bad singer, really needs to have his head examine. The man can hardly manage his finances, people he has been in business with have complained about his lack of respect when it comes to following rules and regulations.
Being a president of a country is not an on the job training, I know he received his singing training from the slums of Brooklyn, that does not qualify him to be president. Perhaps he realized he could steal way more as President of a country than as President of a charity. Maybe Angie could run as his vice presidential candidate. That would be quite the ticket! I guess anything to get him to stop singing for a few years is good enough.
How much more do the people of Haiti need to endure? First they had a horrible earthquake
Second, Obama picked Bush "the village idiot" to be in charge of rebuilding the country – Obama wanted to get Bush out of US politics, therefore he sent him to Haiti to make a mess, just as he has made a mess of the US economy. Third – Now the other uneducated idiot, WJ wants to run for president. When is it enough? At least Bush's father paid a few people to help Bush graduate from college. WJ parent's simply allowed him drop-out.

TSG should check every American that owes the IRS...shocking!
Beyond 2.1m, owing $ these days is a global as well as American phenomena that has nothing to do with abilities, sensiabilities, truths or humanitarian response , As for the Yele foundation has anyone asked for their itemized spending of donated money since the earthquake? Unfortunately it would probably be not much of a story, oh well!

One day at the IRS office while all agents where relaxing:
Joe: Say Bob, did you hear that Hip Hop artist Wyclef wants to run for president?
Bob: Why do we need another rockstar president we already got one? Besides we have full proof he's born in Haiti unlike the lack of proof for Obama.
Joe: No you dip shiat, he wants to become president of Haiti.
Bob: Oh really who cares. WAIT, HE'S A CELEBRITY RIGHT.
Joe: Yeah
Bob: And you know what celebrities don't do.
Joe: What?
Bob: They don't pay taxes. JOE WE GOT TO GET TO WORK, HE MAY HAVE BACK TAXES ON ONE OF HIS PROPERTIES. WE HAVE TO GET FIND OUT BEFORE HE SKIPS ON US.
Joe: I'M ON IT ON A DOUBLE.

More sick republican BS. Stop spreading lies about Obama. That's all you dumb republicans do.I guess you wanted more national debt that Bush gave you after inherirting a budget surplus. Or more CIA agents outed by Cheney and Bush,commiting treason. Or more illegal wars for oil profits ,costing the lives of our sons.Maybe you want more domestic spying .also . How about more illegal torture?or katrina's? Maybe more bailouts for the greedy banks and corporations. You don't believe in helping the American people ,who pay the frieght, the taxpayer, that'sSOCIALISM . Bur when you help the greedy banks and corporations ,who went broke due to your deregulation, then corporate socialism is alright.Always coming to the American people when they get in trouble. You could care less about solutions to America's problems ,using public office for private gain to help the few rich that doesn't need any tax cuts ,tricking the dumbest among us to vote aginst their own interest. You chose the Palins and the Quayles to reflect the idiots out there who would vote for these dumb candidates that would drive America over the cliff. As Obama said do you want to give the keys back to the people who crahes every time they drive? You can never reason with these dumd republicans ,no matter what. They are either dishonest or dumb, take your pick>

I have no idea who Wyclef is and don't really care. When I first heard his name I thought it was a new designer Jean company?
Anway: CNN announced Wyclef will be on Larry King. 9pm Eastern and 6PM Pacific time. Larry King Live: An exclusive interview with Wyclef Jean about his run for President of Haiti.

Oh.....This guy is certainly qualified - He's a Tax cheat, a lier & deceiver and knows absolutely nothing about politics and management....He would be an ideal candidate for the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere!! I think he sees all the aid $$$ & wants to stuff his pockets, like the rest of the corrupt so-called elite in this mess of a country!!! And of course the Obummer Govt will "Stand-By" and watch it happen!!

How sad.
Another tax slave is being hunted down.
ATTENTION WYCLEF -
If you look up the legal definition for "Exempt income" that is ALREADY WRITTEN into US tax law, you'll see that you did NOTHING ILLEGAL or wrong.
I hope you'll try to use this opportunity to free all of us - the American tax slaves - by exposing our government's income tax fraud.
Maybe you could write a song about it, and expose our wicked politicians.
Here's a link to tax code search results,
WHAT IS TAXED dott comm
God speed, and good luck fighting the beast.

Man what a surprise. Another black entertainer who doesn't like to pay taxes.
I just loved the upfront payments that he and his cousin got.
Where's the NAACP on this one. Or is this what they mean by "advancement".

Just like almost every other person who comes from nothing and makes some money in the entertainment industry. It's called Hillbilly rich. They then try to skirt paying taxes and resort to other illegal things like not paying taxes or questionable non profit charity. Renting a cafe table on his studio and paying 26 months up front rent. That's so laughable.